by Layla Hagen
“Oh, please, do let my brother play the white knight. Otherwise, I’ll have to deal with him. You’d be doing me a favor.”
I laughed, looking between the siblings. Ryker was glaring at Tess, who just elbowed him in the ribs.
“What? It’s true. I love you, but you know it’s true.”
“Did I or did I not help you get rid of that schmuck who followed you around at the last gala?”
“Ouch. Low blow, brother.”
“Just pointing out that my skills can be useful.”
Turning to me, Tess said, “Please, please, please take him away.”
“Okay, then,” I conceded. “Tess, this has been a wonderful evening. Thank you so much for everything. Is Skye still here? And Cole? I’d like to thank them too.”
“They’re here somewhere, but I can’t see them right now. I’ll give them your thanks. And you’re welcome.”
“Ten o’clock at the store tomorrow?” Ryker asked Tess.
She nodded. “Thanks. We have about a million boxes to sort out.”
“I can come and help too,” I offered.
Tess waved her hand. “No need. Between my siblings, and our cousin and his wife, we’re gonna be fine. Now, off you go before someone chats Ryker up.”
After she left, I tried to lift Avery in my arms, but she woke up. Her eyes widened, but it was clear she was still sleepy.
“Are we leaving, Mommy?”
“Yes, we are. Ryker is taking us home. Remember him?”
Avery nodded.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Avery,” Ryker said.
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“Yes. That you’re a smart girl and like to collect coloring books.”
I felt as if my heart was about to explode again. He’d listened to all that?
“Yes. Winnie is my favorite. But I’m a big girl now. I can’t like Winnie anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Because big girls don’t watch cartoons.”
Ryker winked. “All the cool people like cartoons. I also like anime and superhero movies.”
Avery’s jaw dropped open. “You do? But you’re so old. You’re like Mommy.”
Ryker jerked his head back. I laughed, patting his shoulder. The contact zinged me. I withdrew my hand so quickly that it was awkward. I patted my hair to give myself something to do.
“Well, yeah. But even old people can enjoy animated comic movies. Tell you what...”
He looked between me and Avery. My stomach flipped. I leaned slightly forward, anticipation coursing through me. He was plotting something, I was certain of that.
“If you give me your permission, I’ll take your mom to a superhero movie that just came out.”
“Why?” Avery asked suspiciously.
“To show her that even old people can like them.”
Avery clapped her hands. “YES! Then maybe she’ll watch Winnie with me.”
Ryker laughed. Avery beamed widely. I loved putting that smile on my daughter’s face, but Ryker deserved all the credit for this. My heart wasn’t just increasing in size, it felt as if it was about to leap out of my chest. I’d spent two years with a man who hadn’t once put that smile on Avery’s face, and yet Ryker did so effortlessly. Did he know how charming that was to me? How much it meant to me?
It just came naturally for him. Bonding with those around him, making them feel at ease. After all, I’d felt at ease around him the moment I’d met him, and I’d been fighting with my ex.
“What do you say, Heather? Go to a movie with me? Now that we have permission and all?”
Smiling, I nodded. Avery jumped up and down, and the three of us headed out. I was acutely aware of his hand on my arm as he led us both outside. His grip was possessive, as if I belonged to him. As if we both did.
“I know who you are,” Avery said suddenly before we climbed into one of the cars waiting outside.
“Who?” Ryker prompted, raising both eyebrows.
“You’re Prince Charming.”
Ryker’s eyes bulged. The two of them talked the entire ride home. I kept glancing between them, barely managing to get a word in. It was the first time Avery was so chatty in front of a person she’d just met.
When we arrived in front of my building, I was surprised when Ryker climbed out of the car too. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“What kind of prince charming would I be if I didn’t walk you to your door?”
Avery squealed. Her happiness was contagious. I couldn’t hide my smile as I opened the door of the car. Avery led the way. She had so much energy that it would take her a while to fall asleep.
Then again, it would take me a while too. Ryker went up with us.
As I unlocked the front door, I told Avery, “Say goodbye to Ryker and go straight to the bathroom and brush your teeth.”
Avery sighed. “Do I have to?”
“Yes, it’s late.”
She held her tiny hand out to Ryker again. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Ryker.”
“Likewise, Ms. Avery.”
Avery formed an O with her mouth, looking up at me, then back at Ryker. “I thought only old ladies are Ms. I can be a Ms.?”
“Of course. If you want to.”
“I want to.”
“Avery. Teeth,” I repeated, fighting laughter.
“Goodnight, Mr. Ryker,” Avery said, nodding eagerly before disappearing into the apartment.
I lingered in the doorway, even less ready to say goodnight than I’d been at the party.
“Tonight was... incredible,” I murmured.
“Yeah, it was.”
He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My entire body was on edge from that one touch.
“Do you have time for that movie tomorrow?”
“I have a deadline for an article on Sunday. Next week?”
“We have a big project coming in on Monday... it will keep me at work until late in the evening. Next Friday?”
“Yes, that works.”
He trained his eyes on me, and I was overwhelmed by the mix of heat and determination in them.
I had to be honest with him. “Avery asked me if it’ll be just the two of us for a while, and I said yes. I don’t think she wants us to have someone else in our life.”
He cupped my face in both hands. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that little girl feels safe around me. Make sure she’s happy. And then we’ll take it from there.”
Oh, wow. What could I say to that? All I wanted to do was wrap my arms around him and pull him into a kiss.
“Between you and me, I think my chances aren’t half bad. She gave me her permission to take you out to a movie pretty quickly.”
“That’s because you tricked her. You essentially made her believe I might watch cartoons with her if you take me to the movies.”
Ryker grinned unapologetically. “Hey, I saw my chance, and I seized it.”
“You most definitely did.”
“And I’m not done doing that yet.”
I laughed, and this time I did pull him into a kiss. One thing I knew about Ryker. If he didn’t see a chance, he created one.
Chapter Fourteen
Ryker
The next morning, I was at my sisters’ store at ten o’clock. To my surprise, only Tess and Skye were here. Tess was perched on a ladder, pushing merchandise boxes around on the last shelf. Skye was handing her boxes.
“Where are the rest of your helpers?” I asked, referring to Cole, Hunter, and Josie. Since the store officially opened on Monday, we had a lot of last-minute details to take care of.
“Cole’s bringing breakfast, so he’ll be a bit late. But Josie and Hunter should be here any second.”
“Okay. Can’t believe they’re coming. Didn’t they land last night?”
“I told them they can sleep in or just skip today, but they insisted,” Skye said.
After they finished the boxes, Tess climbed down from the ladder. My sisters looked absolutely
exhausted. They both had dark rings under their eyes, and Skye was paler than usual.
“What time did you two go to bed?” I asked them.
Tess waved her hand. “Don’t make me think about it. I think I slept two hours in total. But I haven’t slept much the past week either.”
“Yeah, I only got in one hour Thursday evening. Got stuck here sorting through inventory, and we had more deliveries coming in at six o’clock.”
“You slept here?” I asked.
“Hey, don’t judge. The couch is comfy,” Skye said on a frown. I’d been naive enough to think that after they quit their day jobs, they’d be taking it easier.
“You two will burn out if you go at this rate.”
Tess pointed a finger at me. “I’ll make you a deal. You stop nagging us about that, and we won’t ask about your plans for the date.”
Skye jerked her head back. “Ummm... don’t make deals in my name, sister.”
I burst out laughing. This morning was off to a brilliant start.
“Besides, you’re one to talk. Who was working a hundred hours a week to make director just a few years ago?” Skye asked.
“I was twenty-five, and it was only for a short time.”
Tess gasped. “Oh my God, he just called us old.”
“I didn’t. Fuck, I did. I need coffee,” I said on a groan.
Skye shook her head energetically. “No, no. It’s easier to spill secrets when you’re half awake.”
The front door opened, and Hunter and Josie came in, as well as Cole carrying bags.
“You’re saving my life,” I told him. He placed the food on the counter.
“Dig in. I was hungry, so I bought half the store.”
“Atta boy,” Skye exclaimed, rubbing her stomach.
We all reached for the food so fast, one would think we hadn’t eaten in three days. I wolfed down a ham and cheese sandwich before downing a coffee.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Skye pout. There went her strategy of keeping me away from caffeine so I was an easier prey for their questioning.
“Did I miss anything last evening?” Josie asked.
“Business as usual. The donation spreadsheets aren’t done, but I think we’ve reached our usual target,” Skye said.
“Oh, and Ryker here finally scored a date with Heather,” Tess said.
Cole laughed, patting my shoulder.
“All our praising helped, right?” Skye asked.
“Yes, it did,” I admitted.
“Wait!” Josie exclaimed. “What’s that about Ryker going on a date? Who’s Heather?”
I looked at my sisters. “Want to fill her in?”
“Of course. I volunteer,” Tess said, and summed up everything in a few sentences.
“Well, well, the flirt has finally met his match,” Josie said afterward.
Cole shook his head. “I’m gonna be the only bachelor in the family before long, I just know it.” He sounded so dejected that we all burst out laughing.
After we finished breakfast, Tess told us the game plan while we drank a glass of Dom Perignon, celebrating the opening.
Then I moved the couch with the guys before helping Skye carry some light but huge boxes into the back. After setting down the last one, Skye abruptly said, “Ryker, you’re being careful with Heather, right?”
Okay... I hadn’t expected that. My sister was biting her lip with worry.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s just that I know you don’t take relationships seriously.”
I could hardly say anything in my defense.
“It’s all fun and good... but there’s also a little girl involved. Don’t... get her hopes up. Or if you do, don’t disappoint her.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
I knew exactly how it felt to be disappointed by a parent, and so did Skye, hence her warning.
Skye closed her eyes. “You’re right, you wouldn’t. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“Skye, are you okay?”
“Yes, just exhausted. I think that tends to make me more emotional. Forgive me?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, let’s go see if there’s anything else left to do.”
When Skye and I returned to the main room, the group was chatting about the nicknames Josie gave us when we first met years ago.
“I’m quite proud of mine,” Tess said. They were all leaning on the counter, sipping from fresh coffee cups. Someone must have done a second run. I took one immediately.
“You deserve it. Hurricane through and through,” Josie said.
“What do you mean? That I don’t deserve being called the Charmer?” Cole asked, faking indignation.
Josie laughed. “Yes, you do.”
“You know, I’m the only one without an official nickname. I feel left out,” Skye said.
Josie narrowed her eyes, studying my sister. “I didn’t mean to. Skye just stuck in my brain, you know? And I couldn’t remember the boys’ names and was so shocked that Tess had convinced a bunch of you to go bungee jumping, hence the hurricane thing. I kind of thought of you as a wallflower.”
Skye’s jaw dropped. “Ouch.”
“Hey, I mean it in a good way.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You were shy and quiet. And now...”
“You’re not,” I finished for Josie. “How about ‘dragon’?”
Everyone turned to look at me.
Skye was smiling brilliantly. “I like that. I have no clue how you got to that, but I like it.”
“Anyone who’s ever seen you upset will agree with me.”
There was a general murmur of agreement around the counter.
I was still thinking about ways to help my sisters relax a little. They weren’t taking my concerns seriously, but I’d seen plenty of colleagues on Wall Street burn out after a few years. When you set up your own business, you don’t know how long the trudge will last until you “make it.” I just really couldn’t stand watching my sisters work themselves to the bone. “Skye, Tess, is the exhibition you wanted to see at the Guggenheim still on tonight?” I asked.
“Yes,” Tess said.
“Why don’t we all go?” I suggested.
Josie straightened up. “If you need someone to finish up here, I can do that.”
There was a reason why Josie was a killer lawyer. She knew my sisters might say that and didn’t want to give them a chance.
“We were planning on checking the inventory,” Tess said. “We’re the only ones who can do that.”
“But the Guggenheim expo is only until tomorrow,” Josie added. “Ryker’s right. We can all go.”
Cole grimaced. I glared at him until he got my drift. “Yeah, let’s all go. And have dinner afterward.”
Hunter looked at his wife in confusion. I knew his credo—and shared it: the second-worst activity after shopping was going to an art museum. But he nodded, lacing an arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“You do love us, brother,” Skye said.
“How is that news?”
She shook her head. “It’s not, just... it’s good to remember from time to time.”
She saw right through my tactic, but I considered it a victory anyway.
Chapter Fifteen
Heather
On Thursday, I received a surprise phone call from Tess. I was in my kitchen, whipping up a quick dinner of ravioli and Romaine salad for Avery and me.
“Hi, Heather!”
“Hey, this is a nice surprise.”
“So, listen, I’ve heard through the Winchester grapevine that you and Ryker are going to a movie tomorrow.”
“That’s right.” I smiled, realizing slowly that there were no secrets in the Winchester family.
“Do you have someone to watch Avery? Otherwise you can bring her by at the store. Skye and I will stay here until pretty late. Now that we opened, our to-do list grew exponentially. Mom will also be here, and she said she’d love to spend some
time with Avery.”
They were offering to watch my daughter? That was so strange. They barely met us last week. But I had a hunch they were different from most people I met. They were warmer, and so was their mom. In fact, the whole family had been very friendly at the event.
“Thanks, but my neighbor and friend, Natasha, is watching her.”
“Oh, I see.”
Come to think of it, though, Natasha would probably love going to the store, and my girl always liked being in Manhattan. It would be more exciting for them than staying at home, waiting for me.
“You know what? I’ll ask Natasha if she’s up for a trip to Manhattan and let you know.”
“Perfect. What time would you be here?”
“The movie starts at six o’clock, so maybe... five thirty?”
“Let’s make it five.”
“Okay. Oh, shit. I’m overcooking the ravioli. Call you later?”
Tess laughed. “No need. Enjoy your evening. Just let me know what Natasha says.”
***
The next afternoon, Avery, Natasha, and I arrived at the store at five o’clock on the dot. My girl smiled from ear to ear when we walked inside.
“When I grow up, I want to have my own store, Mommy.”
“If you work hard, you can have whatever you want, baby.”
“This place is amazing,” Natasha said. “Most lingerie stores intimidate me, what with the tiny situation here.” She pointed to her chest. “But this is real nice.”
Skye, Tess, and Amelia were at the counter, fixing gift bags. They all beamed when they saw us.
“Girls, do you ever take a minute off?” I asked them after introducing Natasha.
“They don’t,” Amelia answered.
“Not right now. But we’re planning to take a break as soon as things actually work around here. Should be sometime in the next ten years,” Tess said.
“I’m honestly more relaxed now than when we still had our jobs,” Skye said. “At least now I get to focus all my efforts on one thing. I even have time to go on a date later this week.”
I gave her a thumbs-up. “Is this why you’re in such a good mood?”
“Well, life is generally great. We’ve finally opened the store, and an investor is interested in us.”
“Wow, congrats. Why do you need an investor?” I figured if they’d opened this without one, they could do it on their own.